trolls

[toad]

There seem to be a number of trolls about and I find I'm susceptible to their bait (didn't sleep that well I suppose).

While it often may be genuine frustration that is driving them to be non-constructive I wondered whether we should have a standard (non-offensive) response to these people.

What about:

We are sorry you are not satisfied but would like to help.

To help us help you please make a list of your grievances and open a thread for each one - this is the best way of getting advice on each issue.

Thank you for your patience.

Or some such crap. Any suggestions?

[aged hippy]

Re: trolls

A suggestion to add to it:

But if you open your first post with all guns blazing, don't expect tea and biscuits.

Edit:
... and i don't mind anyone linking to my troll pic.

[Fintan]

Re: trolls

Yes toad, I noticed you were on a roll today

Good Idea, though I doubt those that should will notice

[footer]

Re: trolls

This is why I love Linux/Kubuntu/Kubuntu forums so much. You guys rock! As my wife likes to say:

If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem!

Rock on!!!

[tinker]

Re: trolls

Yes toad, I agree the response should be non-offensive. Since I make mistakes, I wouldn't want to call somebody a troll when they are just having trouble. Never attribute to intention what can be explained by stupidity or lack of knowledge.

Real trolls like to be able to point to how they are "mistreated" by a forum. These things are archived and sometimes people read them and form opinions about how friendly a forum is.

Another point, even though this is an English forum, some people posting here probably don't have English as a first language and don't interpret, or use, the nuances of the language the way native English speakers do.

That being said, after one has tried to help someone for a while, certain themes emerge and intention becomes more clear, eh? In every forum I've participated in, wintrolls appear from time-to-time, it's almost like they have a club and decide who to target next. ;-)

[Qqmike]

Re: trolls

Based on the above posts, so far, OP thru Reply #4, I feel like I'm in pretty good company here.

[claydoh]

Re: trolls

Troll basically [i/]enjoy[/i] stirring things up. More like a hobby or a nasty addiction

But I do understand people do get frustrated and may not think before they post.
Usually you can tell from the topic title as a serious troll may not do something so obvious.
Anyone familiar with usenet will know what I am talking about here.

the best thing to do is usually to ignore them if they are still obnoxious after trying calmly to assist.

I have never had to kick someone out of here yet, and I hope it stays that way. It's that way in here mostly because you all in here are rather calm, patient, and understanding. And that overall 'personality' if you will is what newcomers see and seems to rub off on them.

Thank you to everyone for this

[dibl]

Re: trolls

Usually you can tell from the topic title as a serious troll may not do something so obvious.
Anyone familiar with usenet will know what I am talking about here.

the best thing to do is usually to ignore them if they are still obnoxious after trying calmly to assist.

I concur -- this is the right approach.

You can also kinda tell by the length of the post. Folks who are just angry and frustrated write 3 or 4 sentences to vent. Trolls write paragraphs and lists, usually, in addition to their very provocative topic titles.

[srelysian]

Re: trolls

Troll basically enjoy stirring things up. More like a hobby or a nasty addiction

I think most everyone from time to time enjoys a good verbal throw down

the best thing to do is usually to ignore them if they are still obnoxious after trying calmly to assist.

I don't mind assisting people if I can, but I do made sure to suggest that jumping into a forum screaming about how much linux sucks and it's all linux fault, etc etc, is not a smart way to get yourself any sort of help. I've been using linux on and off for years and I still find myself asking "noobish" questions here and there. And I can't for the life of me remember the last time I said "I hate linux, it always breaks, etc etc". And this is coming from someone who has a glitchy PNY nVidia card on his desktop that refuses to run an interface in accelerated drivers more than once before crapping out (Though I did give up on it, and left XP there until it one day gets fixed by nvidia).

I have never had to kick someone out of here yet, and I hope it stays that way. It's that way in here mostly because you all in here are rather calm, patient, and understanding. And that overall 'personality' if you will is what newcomers see and seems to rub off on them.

Hahaha, this first person will most likely be me one day. I try to hold my tounge in most cases when I see someone on a rampage but... damn it if I don't start "LMAO" "IRL" and can't help myself but post some sort of "omfg take medication" response. :P Well, atleast I don't start swearing.